Universal rafter-framing machine



Dec. 16, 1930.

J. NICKELS UNIVERSAL RAFTER FRAMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1927 5Sheets-Sheet 1 lltl'llll 902M141 R. BY m. WM,

' ATTORNEY.

Deg. 16, 1930. J. NICKELS UNIVERSAL RAFTER FRAMING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21, 1927 I INVENTOR. BY fiat/M414) 9mm 1. W.

M ATTORNEY.

QELI

Dec. 16, 1930. J c Ls 1,785,044

UNIVERSAL 'RAFTER FRAMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IQ l m :E o Q 0 INVENTOR.

In}; ATTORNEY.

Dec. 16, 1930. v NlcKELs 1,785,044

UNIVERSAL RAFTER FRAMING MACHINE Fil ed Jan. 21,, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4f IEJ M ATTORNEY.

Dec. 16, 1930.

J. NICKELS- UNIVERSAL RAFTER FRAMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 192 5Sheets-Sheet 5 u EL INVENTOR.

BY Wm)? M M ATTORNEYI ,EiLl

' JAMES NICKELSQOF srnvxs, iLLI-NoIs omvnnsni RAFTER-{FRAMING MACHINEApplication fil ed January 21, 1927'. Serial No. 162,483.

My invention has reference to a universal rafter framinglm'ach ne, andhas for lts purpose to provide a simple and efficient means for'maklneall re u'lar and irre ular side and end cuts, such as common rafter footcuts, hip

and valley rafter foot cuts, hip and valley rafter side cuts, jackrafterside cuts, octagon hip rafter and octagon a'ck rafter cuts, andothers. The machineis' designed as a part of a portable machine, inwhich are incorporated other niechanism gbut the drawings in thepr-esentcase are" limited to that'part of the machine which is usedlinshaping the ends of the rafters, the same asthe same would appearifheld" in a stationary position.

i The machine comprises a frame-work and main tableor bencln'onWlllCh'lS supported" a worlntable or dial, the front of which is of asemi-circular form,;having'a slot on a central radial line through whicha swingingly mounted circular saw operates; The arcu-- ate edges of thedial are provided with series of perforations fdrming scales withsuitable markings to indicate the proper positioning ofone or other of apair ofgages to be used therewith, and by means of which the pieces oftimber are presented to the-saw in proper position for being cut. pableof being used interchangeably, one

thereof being used for making onerclass of" cuts, and the other forthos'efof another class,

as will be herein'aftenmore fully pointed out. Saws of differentdlameters are also made use of therewlth The construction andarrangement of A the machine is such that an unskilled person canquickly determine the proper position of a framing piece with referenceto the saw, and clamp thesame in such position. While using thehands/for steadying-the piece he canthen operate the saw by means'offoot actuated mechanism specially provided therefor. The work table; isalso sli'clably mounted and provided with means for moving the same withreference to the saw, soth'at in the case of some rafter pieceswhich arenot'entirely severed by the action of thesaw the work can be completedby the movemen'tof the worktabletoward therear: v 1

The purpose and character of the inven- Said gages are ca tion-will bemore fully understood from the following specification, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in l w. r

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention, with the gage A mounted foroperationthereon.

Fig. 2'is a similar View, with the gage B shown in operativ'e'position'.

1 Fig. 3 is'a detail of the endof the arm 29.

Fig. 4' is a detail of the rafter clamping devices of the gage A. i

gage B. V Fig. 6 shows the machine in front elevation Fig. 7 is across-section on the line of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the gage A, with the rafter supportthereof'held in an inclinedposition. V p

Fig. his a detached view of the rafter supp r Fig. 10 is a sideelevation of the gage B an (1' parts associated therewith.

Fig. 11 is a 'plan view thereof.

Fig. 12 is an end view of said gage B, partly in cross-section.

Fig. 13 shows the-"end offa framing piece with a combination end andside out thereon.

Fig; 14! is a crossesection through the ex- 1 tension 38 andbar L2.

The reference number 1 indicates a frame, upon whichis supporteda.pairof table sections 2 andf3, the ends ofwhich are spaced apart] fromeach other, andfmounted therek on above such space is a work table ordial 4, provided on its lower face" with guides'5, (shown in brokenlines), which are slidable on'the edgesof the sections 2 and 3. The dialis preferably formed ofmetal, and issupported-so that the upper facethereof will be"fi1ish--with"the faces of the sections 2 and F ig. 5'isa detail of the outer end of the i of the rear posts of the frame 1,upon which the sections 2 and 3 rest.

Fixed to the lower face of the dial 4 is a cross-plate 10, connected bya link with the upper end of a hand-lever 11, fulcrumed to the brace 9,and extending downwardly.

held normally in its forward position, andreturned thereto after havingbeen moved rearwardly.

Beneath the dial 4 is an auxiliary frame 16, having a pair ofcross-pieces 17 in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 18, on which isswingingly supported a frame 19, in the upper end of which is journalleda shaft 20. Fixed on one end of the shaft is a circular saw 21, in linewith the slot 6, so as to move upwardly therein upon the frame 19 beingproperly rocked. Secured to the other end of the shaft 20 is a pulley22, connected by a belt 23 with a pulley 24 on the shaft 18, to whichpower may be applied in any suitable man nor for the purpose of rotatingthe same. Projected outwardly from the frame 19 is a lever 25, providedat its outer end with a pedal 26, by means of which the saw frame andsaw can be moved forwardly, a portion of the upper part of the sawpassing thru the slot 6 and cutting the material positioned thereon.Upon removing the foot from the pedal the saw drops rearwardly anddownwardly out of the way.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings is shown the dial 4 and the gage A in itsrelation thereto when being used therewith. This gage is held swinginglyin position on the dial by means of a bracket 28, provided with an arm29, in the end of which is a key-hole slot 30, for engagement by one ofa pair of bolts 31 and 32 in a plate 33 projected from the head 34 ofthe gage. The ends of said bolts are shaped similarly to the slot andare passed thru the same when the gage is positioned immediately overthe saw-slot. A movement of the gage to either side of the slot operatesto lock the same from release, and the same can be readily detached byturning the gage back to its original position. The gage A is designedmore specially for making common cuts on the ends of rafters, forcutting hip and valley, octagon hip rafters and the like.

The bracket 28 is secured to the dial 4 by means of a pair of bolts 35.and the proper positioning of said bracket is further assured by dowelpins 36, projecting downwardly from the bracket and entering openings inthe dial.

Besides the parts of the gage above mentioned, it embodies achannel-plate box 37, with which is connected the head 34. At the otherend of the box is a plate 38 forming an extension thereof, and the arcof movement of the end of which is concentric with that of the edge ofthe dial 4. The sides of the box 37 form parallel straight-edges and arein line with the bolts 31 and 32, and when either of said bolts isconnected with the arm 29 it serves as a pivot upon which the gage canswing in a horizontal plane. The plate 38 projects beyond the edge ofthe dial 4 and is capable of being attached thereto by means of aclamp-bolt 39, the end of which is beneath the dial. The upper end ofthe bolt 39 is threaded to receive a hand-nut 39, between which and theplate 38 is a sleeve 40. Upon operating the hand-nut in the properdirection the hooked end of the bolt is drawn tightly against the lowerface of the dial, holding the box 37 from movement.

The plate 38 is of rectangular formation, and supported by the endplates thereof, on a level with the top of the plate, is a bar 42, onthe sides of which are spaces 43, said bar containing a series ofspring-controlled pushpins 44, the lower ends of which are adapted forselective engagement with perforations arranged in arcuate series C, D,E, and F in the dial 4. Said pins are four in number, one for each ofsaid series, and each of said series is properly identified on the faceof the dial, in a manner not shown on the drawings on account of thereduced size thereof. For example, the series D has the notation Com.rafter foot cut, and the push-pin for that series has a letter C orother marking on its end, to correspond therewith. The particular mannerin which the gage is set will be more fully described hereinafter. Therious perforations are also identified by numbers or other insignia, sothat the several insignia, form scales which may be read by theoperator, to determine the proper positioning of the gage. Thesereadings'can be made thru the openings 43 in the outer end of the gage.Additional push-pins 45 are provided at the sides of said openings, foruse in setting the gage for making polygon cuts and others.

In making common cuts on the ends of rafters the piece of timber is heldagainst the side of the box 37 of the gage, as shown at 47 in Fig. 1.The gage is also provided with a plate 48, having a pivotal connectionwith the head 34 of the gage by means of a thumbscrew 49 passing thruthe parallel side-plates of said head, and thru an opening in the innerend of the plate 48. Supported above said plate is a rod 50 upon whichis slidably and roc...ingly mounted a sleeve 51, from which projectsupwardly a stem 52, see Fig. 4, on gitfitii afi iiifiliiidi iitt'iffsiit t P c l. D ne end ill ill?) of which is pivoted a hand-lever 55, asat b. 'Pivoted to one end of said hand-leveris an angle-plate shoe 56,which adapts itself to'the corner of the framing-piece that is beingout,

and holds the same rigidily against the gage.

lVhile held in this position the saw 21 is swung upwardly by means ofthe foot-lever 25,cutting'a piece of wood from the end of the board 47.The bar 5 1 can be held in adjusted position by means of a hand-screw 58in the upper part of the guide 53, and engageable with notches in theupper edge of the bar 54. These notches can be regularly spaced to forma gauge with differences in inches or fractions thereof, correspondingwith the width of a piece of timber held against the box 37, and the bar54 set accordingly.

By way of illustration, the rafter is properly positioned with relationto the saw in the following manner:Assumingthat the rafter is to have an8 inch rise, the clampbolt 39 is first loosened, permitting the gage tomove freely on its pivot. The push-pin 44 that is marked for a commonrafter cut is then brought into register with the marking 8 providedwith a weight 57, for tipping the opposite end of said barfand the leverupwardly out of the way of the timber when it is being placed inposition or removed...

In the same manner if a roof boardis to be cut for a hip roof withagiven amount of rise, the pines marked to indicate roof boards ismovedon the corresponding scale to the desired number, and'the gage set inthat position. A protractor-s'cale is also marked on the face of'thedial at G, with markings to indicate the degrees'ofa circle. The 45degree marking on this scale will coincide with the 12 inch rise markingon the common scale.

Slidable vertically 'inthe bolt 81 is a needle-pin (see Fig. 8),provided with aknob 61 on its upper end, and held normally in elevatedposition by a coiled spring 62 thereon. When the end of the timber hasbeen marked for cutting the pin 60 isforced downwardly until its pointis near such timber,

such pointbeing inline with the saw. 7 If the mark on the timber isnotin proper position the timber is adjusted in position until it is thuslocated. The cut of the saw will then other side of the saw slot. To dothis the pivot point is changed to the bolt 32, and the piece to be cutis held against the opposite side. ofthe box 37. To assist in this theposition of the bar 54 is reversed, such bar being held in its adjustedpositions by means of a'setscrew 63, in the part 53. The series ofopenifngs for engagement by the push-pins are duplicated on the side ofthe dial to which the gage'is transferred.

For making combination cuts on the end of 'a rafter it is necessary tonot only hold the rafter at an angle with the saw, but in an inclinedposition with reference thereto. To

accomplish this a pair of plates 65 are pivoted on the inner faces ofthe'side-plates of the box 37, said plates being provided with series ofholes to receive a thumb-screw 67, which also passes thru an opening 68in the outer end of the plate 48. The end of the plate can thereby beheld in elevated position, with said plate sloping toward the .saw slot.Projected upwardly from the outer end of the plate l8 area pair ofvertical arms 69, the outer faces of which are in the same plane withthe outer faces of the b'OX 37, and the rounded lower ends of which fitinto recesses 70 in the upper edges of the side-plates when the plate 48is in fully lowered position. In the lower end of each of the arms 69 isan opening to receive a thumb-screw 71, having a large head 72,preferablyof hexagonal form, and a body portion which serves as a restfor a framing piece that is being presented to the saw with the head 72against the outer face of the framing piece and holding the same. Asimilar thumb-screw 7 3 is adapted for-insertion in one of a series ofholes 74 in the head 34 of the box, said thumb-screw also providing asupport for the framing piece with the head of the screwagainst thetimber.

The holes 66 are given a spacing corresponding with the desired amountof elevation to be given to the outer end of the framing piece, and withproper markings therefor, so that it can be determined at a glance atwhat height the piece should be held. The same is true of the holes 74,the holes in one row alternating with those in the other row,

and determining the amount of elevation of the inner end of the timber.lVhen the plate 48 is at its lowest point with the thumb-screw 71 inplace, a piece oftimber would be supported thereon with a one inch rise,and each additional. adjustmentof said plate upwardly would add anotherinch rise thereto. The same is the case with the adjustment of thethumb-screw 73.

By way of illustration of the use of the parts just described, if it isdesired to out what is known as a cripple dormer rafter, which restsdirectly on theroof boards, if the roof has a'12 inch rise and thedormer a 6 inch rise, the gage A is set with the push-pin for the commonrafter at the hole 12 in the com above the saw slot 6.

mon rafter series. The thumb-screw ($7 is then inserted in the openingin one of the plates 65 which is sixth from the bottom, and which wouldbe numbered 6, then thru the opening 68 and into the opening six in theother plate 65. This establishes the position of the plate The rests 71and 73 are then placed in position, and tne piece to be out supportedthereon, with the lower corner just Tho timber is then clamped in placeby the lever 55, which fol lows the movement of the plate d8, and, thegage having been again clamped to the dial, the piece is ready forcutting. The end of a. piece of timber which has received both an endcut and side cut in the one operation is shown in Fig. 13. The leversupport being slidable on the rod makes it possible to position saidsupport most conveniently for holding the piece that is being cut.

lVhen the common cuts only are being made the plate 48 is held securelyin its lowest position in the top of the box 37 by means of a hand-screw7 6 in said plate, the threaded end of which enters a similarly treadedopening in av boss 77 in the lower part of the box. The head 34 is alsoprovided with series of openings in the opposite plates thereof, inwhich the screws 78 can be held for half inch rises on dormer rafters.The plates can also be provided with rows of alternating openings formaking half or quarter inch rises.

It will he understood that the adjustments of the plate 48 can be madeon either side of the gage, and the timbers similarly supported oneither side thereof, depending upon which side of the dial the gage ispositioned.

The B is designed for use in cutting jack rafters and other timberswhere it is desired to tip the piece with relation to the saw, insteadof inclining it as in the former case. This is shorter than the gage A,and has a longer support, the pivotal point thereof being ten inchesfarther from the rear edge of the dial 4. than that of the gage A, in amachine of standard build. The support comprises a bracket 80, securedto the dial 4 at the rear end of the slot 6 by means of bolts 81, andsimilarly held in position by dowels as on the other bracket 28. Extending forwardly is an arm 83 for attachment .of the Said cage 13 comprisesa l 84, at one end of which is an arch 85, at the upper part of which isa. plate 86, provided with a pair of pivots 87, to enter an opening 88in the end of the arm 83. The pivots and opening are of a formcorresponding with that of the bolts 31 and 32 and opening in the arm29, and are similarly operated.

In the outer end of the base 8% are a pair of openings 92, at the endsof which are bearings 93 in which are shdably held small rods 94, eachof whlch carries a push-p1n 95, smnlar to the push-pins 44. Series ofholes are also provided for the pins 95, as indi cated at H, I, and J,said series being interposed between the first-named series ofperforations, and having arcs concentric therewith.

It will be evident that the radius of move ment of the outer end of thegage B is shorter than that of the gage A, and that it would not bepossible to accommodate a stationary pin in the end of the gage B to aseries of openings on an are similar to that of the series of openingsused for the gage A. The discrepancy is overcome, however, by theradial. adjustment of the pins 95, enabling them to be engaged with anyof the openings in the last-named series. These series are alsoduplicated on the opposite sides of the saw slot, and are properlyindicated on the face of the dial. On account of the more restrictedmcwement of the gage B, compared with that of the gage A, the holdoccupied by said last-named series of holes is quite limited. In I! 2the gage ll is shown arrailged for right side cuts, it being understoodthat it can also be transferred to the right hand side of the machinefor making left side cuts by changing the pivotal connection to theother one of the pivots 8'7. In either arrangement the push-pin 95 inline with the pivot is the one that is made use of in positioning theSupported on the base 84 is a plate 90, with a pivotal connection withsaid base as at e, and held from movement by a pin 96", locking the endof the plate to the base. Carried by the plate 96 is a rafter holder 98,hinged to said plate as at 7, so as to be capable of being tippedinwardly, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 12. Said holder is held insuch adjusted position by means of a rod 99, having a pivotal connectionwith the inner plate of the holder 98, and connected with a keeper 100which is vertically slidable'in a channel in a post 101 supported on theplate 96. The keeper is locked in adjusted positions by a threaded stem102 and thumb-nut 103 thereon.

A tWo-by-four or other piece of framing lumber is placed in the holder98 with its end projecting thru the arch 85, in position to be cut bythe saw; which for use with the B must be of greater diameter than thatused with the gage A, the last-named saw being preferably a twelve inchone, and the one used with the gage B a twenty inch one. The piece oftimber is held securely in place by a hand-screw 104111 a frame 105above the holder 98, and by a similar hand-screw 106 in the outer plateof said holder. The side-bars of the frame 105 are rigidly connectedwith the side-plates of the holder 98, on the outer faces thereof.

The degree of angle of the piece of timber toward the saw is determinedas in the former case, by loosening the bolt 89, engaging the ill) pinwith the proper hole in the dial and again tightening the bolt. Thedegree of inclination of the holder 98 is determined by means of aquadrant 107 supported on the base 8 1, and provided with seriesofopenings K, L, M, and N, which areengageable by push-pins 108 on afollower 109 attached to the holder 98'. Said series are to be used insetting said holder for a hip and valley side out, jack rafter side outoctagon hip rafter side out, and octagon jack rafter side out. In usingthe gage, after it has been set for the desired angle as above stated,the keep-e:

is released and the holder 98 tipped until greater distance above thedial 4, and the standard of the bracket 80 is necessarily provided witha vertical slot 80 to accommo-- date the same.

Byway of illustrating the operation of the machine with the gage B,ifitis desired to cut a jack rafter with a12 inch rise, the gage is seton the dial with the push-pin 95 at No. 12 on the jack-rafter series ofholes. The holder '98 is then tipped over until the pin 108 for thejack-rafter series of holes on the quadrant 107 is in engagement withthe N0. 12 hole therein, and the holder secured in that position. Arafter piece is then secured in place inthe holder, and will be inproper position for the cut to be made.

A finder is also provided with the gage B for use with the marking on apiece of timber, consisting of a sleeve 110 mounted on the arm 83, inwhich is movably held aneedle pin 111, held normally in raised positionby a spring 112. On account of the fact that the framing piece projectspast the pivotal point of the gage, as shown in Fig. 2, it is necessaryto position the pin 111 several inches in rear of the pivot, at thepoint where the end of the timber crosses the saw-slot.

By the use of the machine hereinbefore described it is possible to makeall of the known cuts on'rafters, and various combinations thereof.Having the dial 4 adaptable to the two styles of gages eliminates thenecessity of having two, separate dials and appurtenant mechanism.

The preferred method of using the machine is to make all of one kindof'cuts first, and all of those to be cut by one of the gages, beforechanging to the other gage. Where a number of rafters are to'be providedwith the same kind of cut, all of the cuts at one end of said rafterswill be made first, before indicatedin the drawings. I

thencapable of being tippedtoward the saw reversing theposition of thegage, and the machine then set for makingthecuts on the amount of timeis saved. In some cases of common rafters-the cuts at both ends can bemadeby merely reversing the position of; the

timber in its supporting holder. i

When the gage B is transferredfrom one side of the slot 6 to the otherthe position of the'rafter holder' 98 is reversed, by turning other'ends.- By this means a considerable theplate. 96 on-its pivot, andtheplate is again held in locked position by the pin 96"-, enteringanother openingin the base 84, not The holder is slot, asbefore. I y 1 7What Iclaim, and desire to secure by-Letters Patent, iszv j I 1. Inadevice of the class-described, a sawtable dial provided with acentralsaw slol;

provided with series of openings forming arcuate scales, a bracketfiXedto said. dial, a gage having parallel side faces and pivot meansinline with each of said faces adapted for interchangeable pivotalconnection with a said bracketat a point above said slot, pins carriedbysaid gage adapted for engagement wlth said openings, and means forholding said gage 1n ad ust1ng positions, to fiX the position of a pieceof rafter material held against that side of said gage which is inline'with the pivotal point.

2. In a device of the class described, a sawtable dial provided with acentral saw slot,

and provided with one or more series of openings formingarcuate scales,a gage adapted fora pivotal mounting at either side of said slot, andhaving parallel side faces for the alternative support of a piece ofrafter timber I l in position for being cut, spring-actuated pins forselective engagement with said perforations, toestablish the position ofsaid gage with reference to said saw slot, and a clamping mechanismcarried by said gage, ca-

pable of adjustment in position to hold a piece of rafter timber to oneside or the other of said gage; i

A device of the class described,compr s- 9 Q). mg a frame and circularsaw swingly mounted therein, a slidably mounted 'dial above said saw,provided with a slot for the passage of said saw, and having series ofpin engaging devices forming gage establshing scales on its face, a gagepivoted on said dial.

so as to swing horizontally thereon, and provided with pins adapted forengagement with said engaging devices, means for moving said d alrearwardly to mcrease the length of cut 7 of said saw, and means forreturning said dial to its forward position.

4. In a device of the class described, a .frame and saw swinginglymounted therein, a work dial above said saw provided with a saw slot,and having series of lumber cutting markings arranged thereon inprotractor style, a gage pivoted at a point above said saw slot, andprovided with gage devices for use with said markings, means for holdingsaid gage in adjusted positions, means for holding a piece of rafterlumber in place against said gage, and means for positioning the markedend of said lumber with reference to the saw.

5. In a device of the class described, in 10 combination with a frameand saw swingingly mounted therein, a Work dial supported above said sawand provided with a saw opening, and protractor scales the radii ofwhich center at a point above said saw, a bracket fixed to said dial atthe rear end of said saw opening, and provided with a forwardlyprojecting arm, and a gage having a pivotal connection with sa d arm,and provided with gage devices for use with said scales, the pivotalconnections between said arm and gage preventing the disconnection ofthe gage from the arm in any position of said gage except when it is inline with said saw opening. In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES NIGKELS.

